Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will try to offload quartet in January – report
According to journalist Tomas Gonzalez Martin, Real Madrid will not make any new signings in the January transfer window. But they will make an attempt to get rid of as many as four players before the end of the month.
The four stars in question are Alvaro Odriozola, Jesus Vallejo, Mariano Diaz and Dani Ceballos.
Of the aforementioned four members of the Real Madrid squad, Odriozola has not played a single minute of competitive football this season. Carlo Ancelotti has Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez ahead of the Spaniard as his preferred options at right-back.
Considering that he is completely out of favour and not part of the manager’s plans, it makes sense for Los Blancos to try and sell the full-back.
The same pretty much holds true for Vallejo as well, who has hardly been seen on the pitch this season. Indeed, the 25-year-old centre-back has played just 17 minutes of football across all competitions this term.
Vallejo is behind Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho in the pecking order. And even in case there are injuries, Ancelotti can call upon Rafa Marin from the Castilla squad. Thus parting ways with the 25-year-old ace could be a good move for all parties.
Mariano also finds himself in a similar boat as that of Vallejo and Odriozola. The striker is not favoured by the manager and has taken to the pitch for a total of just 25 minutes this term.
Even though Karim Benzema is the only natural striker at Ancelotti’s disposal, the Italian has preferred Rodrygo as the Frenchman’s backup ahead of Diaz, while Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard are options as well.
With Mariano’s contract expiring at the end of the season and Real Madrid having no intention of renewing his deal, the January window would represent their last chance to make some cash from his sale.
Ceballos, meanwhile, is also in the final year of his contract and there has been little indication that Real Madrid will offer him an extension. But the Spaniard still adds value to the team, as was seen against Valladolid earlier this week.
So, selling the midfielder in the winter might not be the most prudent move, especially with fixtures coming thick and fast and the likes of Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni returning after strenuous World Cup runs.
According to MARCA, Eder Militao is seen as the undisputed leader of the Real Madrid defence, thanks to his ‘impeccable’ level of performances. The 25-year-old’s standing in the team has forced a duel between David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger for the second centre-back slot.
Militao arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, joining from FC Porto in a deal worth €50 million. While he made a slow start to life in Spain, the Brazilian slowly grew in stature from his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Militao established himself as a permanent fixture in the backline for the Merengues and was a standout performer last season as they won the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League trophy.
The 25-year-old has carried on in the same vein of form this season as well, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid, even chipping in with six goals.
The Brazilian international is seen as one of the best centre-backs in the world currently, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti sharing that opinion.
“I may lose credibility if I say Vinicius and Militão are the best striker and defender in the world respectively but it’s the truth. I am honest. Militão lacks nothing,” he had said last month.
Militao is not only viewed as the leader of the Real Madrid defence, but has also grown into a leader within the locker room as well, with the player being loved and fully supported by his teammates.
Militao’s presence has meant that Alaba and Rudiger have had to battle it out for the lone centre-back slot. The former had enjoyed a stunning season last time out after joining from Bayern Munich in 2021, but has struggled with injuries and fitness problems this term.
As for Rudiger, the German arrived last summer from Chelsea and started out slow, but has grown in confidence and stature, especially in recent months. So much so that, his signing is already being regarded as a success within the club.
In Militao, Real Madrid undoubtedly have a long-term fixture at the heart of the defence. But with Rudiger and Alaba in their thirties, the Merengues must look to bring in one more player who can take over from them in the near future and can form a partnership with Militao.
